Ride Journal

May 13, 2009

Up at 6:00 and had the continental breakfast. Riders meeting at 7:30 to inform the new riders how things work. The 50\50 drawing was held and one of my ticket numbers was called. As in the past, most of the winners have donated their winnings back to the chase truck fuel fund. I made sure it was no different this time! 8:00 and we were on the road going to Reno.

We were joined by a couple of Reno motorcycle cops before we got off the freeway.  They escorted us through traffic to the VA hospital.  A few more cops helped as well once we got into town. They did a very good job, as did our road guards, as normal. We had a very good reception when we pulled up to the parking circle. Quite a few Veterans were outside waiting for our arrival, a lot of them in wheel chairs and some were more mobile. The Reno Gazette was covering the story for the 5th year in a row.

Lifted from the Reno Gazette-Journal

Ride D Newton
by Marilyn Newton/RGJ

...Milo Anderson from Oregon is always along for the ride on his somewhat '70s motorcycle that seems to attract things, like lizards, crocodile, and stuffed toys to name a few. Each year the bike seems to change just a little. The front of Milo Anderson's bike is decorated with a crocodile head (or is it an alligator), turtle, and other reptiles as wells as jumper cables and even a license plate. A gloved hand (not real) sits atop the antenna on Milo Anderson's motorcycle.

We talked with a lot of the vets outside before we all went inside to go from room to room for more personal visits. One guy was in the Korean conflict for 56 months he told us. He said it was Hell over there and as cold as Hell too. He had quite an opinion on how our government has handled "conflicts" in the past! I stopped in about a dozen rooms and said hi to a lot of guys here. All the Vets greatly loved each and everyone of us for taking the time to visit with them. I spoke with Dan who is a Viet Nam vet, and just had his leg removed because of complications from Diabetes. He has been in there for a couple of months and gets released on Friday.  All of the staff had smiles on their faces and were very glad that we were there. It looks like a cool place to be if one has to be in a hospital.

The VA provided us with lunch and we joined the patients and the cops as well in the cafeteria. All of the guys in blue were a great bunch of guys to hang out and talk with as well. I asked a couple of them if they wanted to sit on my bike for some pictures. I got Travis's name but did not remember the other guys name (sorry). We got an escort out of town as well (with smiles and waves).

The weather was great east of Reno. It was a little cool going over Donner Pass on the way to Reno.  A fuel stop in Lovelock and then the last 123 miles to our stop for the night at Battle Mountain. When we got off the highway, we were led to tribal lands for dinner. Delbert Holley, a Korean war Vet, has been meeting us every year and last year invited us to have dinner with  them for year. We were greeted by a few members of the Battle Mountain Band of the Western Shoshone Tribe. They had plenty of food prepared for us and we were treated to the blessing of the food in native tongue with a loose translation of the meaning so we could understand. They had fried bread and a Chile bean, hamburger combination and then a table of taco fixings that was so good that some of us went back for more! Mike showed up to tell us a little of the tribes history and their work in the mines for generations. He is a very informative and knowledgeable young guy and it was a pleasure to hear him talk about his tribe. We took a few group pictures. There was a very cute little gal who said "hi" to everyone she saw! We all left there with a better understanding of their culture, and a very warm feeling for being so welcomed into their meeting place. Thank You Western Shoshone Tribe, Battle Mountain Band!

We then fueled up before coming to the Super 8 for the night. We were greeted by Ron, the county Sheriff, who is also on the school board, and the head coordinator for the (jr?) High School Rodeo Association for the entire state! I hear that he wears a few other hats in the community and is very well respected too. Great vibes everywhere we went in this town. Joan has checked us in to our rooms for the last few years here at the motel and is glad to see us back. We told her we would like the hot tub fixed for next year! Good night for now............